Platform for decentralized testing

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatus for sample testing, including biochemical testing for pathogens, biomarkers, or nucleic acids, are provided. These systems, methods, and apparatus may permit asynchronous testing of two or more samples. The apparatus may include a test reaction cap configured to permit sample testing, including instances in which the test reaction cap is coupled to a sample container. The systems, methods, and apparatus may permit testing of a fluid in a sample container using a heating unit with optical detection of sample test results.

1 . A system for measuring data related to a test performed on a portion of sample fluid in a reaction container, the system comprising:
 a reaction container receiver having one or more slots, wherein the reaction container receiver is configured to receive reaction containers in each slot of the one or more slots, and the one or more slots include a first slot;   one or more memories storing instructions;   one or more sensors including a first sensor;   one or more processors, operably coupled to the one or more memories and operably coupled to the one or more sensors, for executing the instructions to cause:   receiving, from the first sensor, first information associated with the portion of sample fluid in the reaction container, wherein at least a portion of the reaction container is in the first slot, the test starts at a test start time, the start of the test is associated with insertion of the reaction container in the first slot, the first information is received after a test time period has elapsed since the test start time, a target test time is based at least in part upon the test performed on the portion of sample fluid in the reaction chamber, and the test time period is within less than 5 minutes, 2 minutes, 1 minute, 30 seconds, 10 seconds, or 5 seconds of the target test time.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein no component of the system is configured to have fluid communication with the sample fluid in the reaction container. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein no component of the system is operable to electrically couple with the reaction container. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to maintain the reaction container receiver at substantially a first temperature from the test start time until the test time period has elapsed, wherein the reaction container receiver is maintained at the first temperature within +/−10, 5, 3, 2, or 1 degree C. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the test is based at least in part upon an isothermal amplification reaction performed on the portion of sample fluid in the reaction container. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the reaction container receiver has more than 1, 3, 11, 23, 47, or 95 slots. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is configured to perform a second test on a second portion of a second sample fluid in a second reaction container with at least a portion of the second reaction container in a second slot of the one or more slots, and the instructions, when executed, cause:
 receiving, from a second sensor of the one or more sensors, second information associated with the second portion of second sample fluid in the second reaction container in the second slot, wherein the second test starts at a second test start time, the start of the second test is associated with insertion of the second reaction container in the second slot, the second information is received after a second test time period has elapsed since the second test start time, a second target test time is based at least in part upon the second test performed on the second portion of second sample fluid in the second reaction container, the second test time period is within less than 5 minutes, 2 minutes, 1 minute, 30 seconds, 10 seconds, or 5 seconds of the second target test time, and the test start time and the second test start time are different.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the reaction container receiver comprises a part with the one or more slots formed in a metal piece. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least the first sensor is mounted on a PCB. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein an externally controlled heater is configured to heat the portion of the sample fluid in the reaction container receiver. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , the system further comprising:
 a heating unit, operably coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause:   providing second information to cause the heating unit to provide heat, wherein the portion of the sample fluid in the reaction container is heated by the heat provided by the heating unit.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the reaction container comprises one or more internal chambers, wherein the portion of the sample fluid is in a first internal chamber of the one or more internal chambers during the test, the first internal chamber is configured to receive reaction material, the reaction container comprises a first volume, a second portion of the sample fluid is in the first volume during the test, and a ratio of the portion of the sample fluid in the first internal chamber to the second portion of the sample fluid is less than 1:2, 1:5, 1:10, 1:20, 1:50, 1:100, 1:200, 1:500, 1:1000, 1:2000, 1:5000, 1:10000, 1:20000, or 1:50000. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the reaction container comprises two or more parts, wherein a first part of the two or more parts comprises the first volume, a second part of the two or more parts comprises at least a portion of the first internal chamber, and the first part and the second part are coupled together to form at least a portion of the reaction container. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the reaction container comprises:
 a sample container having the sample fluid; and   a container coupling unit (CCU), wherein the CCU is configured to couple to the sample container having the sample fluid, the CCU comprises one or more internal chambers, the portion of the sample fluid in the reaction container is in a first internal chamber of the one or more internal chambers during the test, and the portion of the sample fluid in the first internal chamber remains in the first internal chamber during the test.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause:
 receiving, from the first sensor, second information associated with the portion of the sample fluid in the reaction container, wherein the second information is received within less than 5 minutes, 2 minutes, 1 minute, 30 seconds, 10 seconds, or 5 seconds of the test start time.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause:
 determining a test result based at least in part upon the first information; and   transmitting the test result to another computing device via a network.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause:
 receiving second information associated with the reaction container, wherein the second information is associated with information identifying a component of the reaction container or information identifying a source associated with the sample fluid.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first information is based on an optical measurement performed on the portion of sample fluid in the reaction container. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , the system further comprising:
 one or more light sources, each operably coupled to the one or more processors, including a first light source, wherein the instructions, when executed, cause:   provide second information to cause the first light source to illuminate, wherein the first sensor is a photo sensor, light from the illuminated first light source is transmitted through the portion of sample fluid in the reaction container, the transmitted light impinges on the photo sensor, and the first information is based at least in part on a signal generated by the photo sensor in response to the impinging transmitted light.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause:
 providing second information to cause an indication to be displayed, wherein the indication is displayed after the reaction container is inserted into the first slot.   
     
     
         21 . A method for measuring data related to a test performed on a portion of sample fluid in a reaction container, the method comprising:
 receiving, at a processor, first information associated with the portion of sample fluid in the reaction container, wherein at least a portion of the reaction container is in a first slot of one or more slots of a reaction container receiver, the test starts at a test start time, the start of the test is associated with insertion of the reaction container in the first slot, the first information is received after a test time period has elapsed since the test start time, a target test time is based at least in part upon the test performed on the portion of sample fluid in the reaction chamber, and the test time period is within less than 5 minutes, 2 minutes, 1 minute, 30 seconds, 10 seconds, or 5 seconds of the target test time.   
     
     
         22 . One or more non-transitory computer-readable media (CRM) storing instructions for measuring data related to a test performed on a portion of sample fluid in a reaction container, wherein the instructions, when executed by one or more computing devices, cause:
 receiving, at a processor, first information associated with the portion of sample fluid in the reaction container, wherein at least a portion of the reaction container is in a first slot of one or more slots of a reaction container receiver, the test starts at a test start time, the start of the test is associated with insertion of the reaction container in the first slot, the first information is received after a test time period has elapsed since the test start time, a target test time is based at least in part upon the test performed on the portion of sample fluid in the reaction chamber, and the test time period is within less than 5 minutes, 2 minutes, 1 minute, 30 seconds, 10 seconds, or 5 seconds of the target test time.